Chinese New Year celebrates Year of the Dragon

Fireworks explode over Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on Jan. 24.. Thousands watched the fireworks display on the second day of Chinese New Year to usher in the Year of the Dragon.

Erik De Castro / Reuters

Filipino traders celebrate Chinese New Year at the trading floor of the Philippine Stocks Exchange in Manila's Makati financial district on Jan. 24. The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, began on January 23 and marks the start of the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac.

Adek Berry / AFP - Getty Images

People perform during an underwater theatre show celebrating Chinese New Year in the Ancol park in Jakarta on Jan. 23.. The Lunar new year is the most important holiday on the Chinese calendar.

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Nelson Chan is dressed as the God of Fortune in Chinatown in celebration of the Chinese New Year on January 23 in New York City. Celebrations began in New York with the firecracker detonation, intended to ward off evil spirits, to celebrate the arrival of the Chinese New Year, the year of the dragon. Various festivities including singers, dancers and dozens of dance troupes participate in the daylong event which includes marches through the streets of Chinatown. Millions of ethnic Chinese, Vietnamese and Koreans around the world are ringing in the New Year with fireworks, feasting on traditional foods and family reunions.

Brendan Mcdermid / Reuters

Chinese Americans take part in a Chinese New Year celebration in New York's Chinatown on Jan. 23.